Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty! © Visit Denmark
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
© Visit Denmark

I love being a British European!

And luckily for you, I’m not daunted or scared by the terrors of mad men!

As such, last week  began…

Drum rolls please….

VICTORIA’S SUMMER EUROPEAN CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN!

Victoria’s Summer European Challenge has begun! Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Victoria’s Summer European Challenge has begun!
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

Every weekend, through the summer holidays, I’m going to be visiting a European city.

Every weekend!

For six (6) weeks.

Last week, the first place that I went to was Copenhagen in Denmark!

Booking.com
Doesn't Denmark look as if you could eat it! ©NordicFoodFestival.
Doesn’t Denmark look as if you could eat it!
©NordicFoodFestival.

The sun was shining, the people were lovely, and even though I missed my coach-bus connection and spent double the amount of money that I hadn’t budgeted, I very much enjoyed visiting Copenhagen!

It has to be said that even though this blog is about culture, history, and travels around the world, I also enjoy writing about food. Here are food posts that I wrote in the past:

BELGIUM:

Belgian mussels flowing in lemon and wine!
Belgian mussels flowing in lemon and wine!

THE CZECH REPUBLIC:

Trdelník in the Czech Republic but also known as Kürtőskalács in Hungary!
Trdelník in the Czech Republic but also known as Kürtőskalács in Hungary!

ENGLAND:

Oysters and stout on a wooden table outside a pub, England UK - ©VisitBritain Daniel Bosworth
Oysters and stout on a wooden table outside a pub, England UK –
©VisitBritain Daniel Bosworth

ESTONIA:

Salted and marinated herring on creamy cheese at the Hermitage Restaurant.
Salted and marinated herring in Tallinn.

FRANCE:

Have you ever seen such a fantastic crème brûlée? So creamy, so delicious, so....!
Have you ever seen such a fantastic crème brûlée? So creamy, so delicious, so….!

FINLAND:

Hang onto your seat! Sushi in Helsinki, Finland.
Hang onto your seat!
Sushi in Helsinki, Finland.

GERMANY:

Berlin's most famous iconic meal - currywurst, chips & mayo!
Berlin’s most famous iconic meal – currywurst, chips & mayo!

HUNGARY:

Now this looks a lot like brain, but I'm thinking they're probably Hungarian sausages in a stew! Or are they?!!
Now this looks a lot like brain, but I’m thinking they’re probably Hungarian sausages in a stew!
Or are they?!!

LATVIA:

Pelmeni served with sour in Latvia.
Pelmeni served with sour in Latvia.

The magic drink of Latvia is basalm and I drank it!

LITHUANIA:

Lithuanian soup.
Lithuanian soup.

POLAND:

My fantastic pierogi with a smattering of bacon pieces, sprinkled with parsley.
My fantastic pierogi with a smattering of bacon pieces, sprinkled with parsley.

PORTUGAL:

Scrummy Pastel de Nata or Pastel de Belem, otherwise known as Portuguese Custard Tarts!
Scrummy Pastel de Nata or Pastel de Belem, otherwise known as Portuguese Custard Tarts!

SCOTLAND:

Wonderful British cheese, Scottish oatcake & English cider © Pascale Scerbo Sarro
Wonderful British cheese, Scottish oatcake & English cider
© Pascale Scerbo Sarro

SPAIN:

Spanish tapas galore!
Spanish tapas galore!

THAILAND:

Sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf - Bangkok, Thailand.
Sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf – Bangkok, Thailand.
Booking.com

Nom! Nom! Nom!

So without further ado, let’s talk about Danish food otherwise known as Nordic food!

Here we go!

WHAT IS DANISH FOOD, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS NORDIC FOOD!?

Nordic food is defined as food developed in the Nordic countries and Scandinavia. Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Nordic food is defined as food developed in the Nordic countries and Scandinavia.
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

I’m from England and I live in Germany. Both countries are in Northern Europe.

Northern Europe consists of Iceland, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the United Kingdom, the Faroe Islands, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Belarus, North-West Russia, and Greenland.

Nordic food is defined as food developed in the Nordic countries and Scandinavia.

Nordic countries are countries in the geographical and cultural region of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic.
Nordic countries are countries in the geographical and cultural region of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic.

Nordic countries are countries in the geographical and cultural region of Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, otherwise known as Norden or “The North!” These countries would be Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, including their associated territories – Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the Åland Islands.

Scandinavia is defined as a historical and cultural region in Northern Europe characterized by ethno-cultural North Germanic heritage.  Such countries would be Denmark, Norway and Sweden!

In fact, I found that even though I couldn’t understand the Danish language, I could understand it when I read it, as it’s somewhat similar to German, as is the Dutch language. In Holland!

Nordic countries are similar in their way of life, history, language and social structure as well as weather!

New Nordic Cuisine! Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
New Nordic Cuisine!
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

In 2004, these countries have come together to promote what is known as New Nordic Cuisine.

New Nordic Cuisine is food that promotes local, natural and seasonal produce, using local ingredients, in combination with traditional food, prepared in new ways and preservation techniques such as drying, fermenting, smoking, salting, pickling and preserving meat, vegetables, fruits and fish, that have for centuries enabled people to survive the long, dark winters of the Nordic region!

The person who put Nordic food on the international map was René Redzepi – the founder and brain behind NOMA – the world’s best restaurant located in an 18th century waterfront building in Christianshavn, on the other side of the harbor!

Myself at NOMA - the number 1 best restaurant in the world!
Myself at NOMA – the number 1 best restaurant in the world!

It is No. 1 on the list of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” unseating the El Bulli restaurant in Spain, causing a media frenzy, and initiating more than 100,000 reservation requests within just a few days!

I first got to know about NOMA whilst watching a food documentary – Noma – My Perfect Storm – as a press hack at this years’ Berlin International Film Festival, otherwise known as the Berlinale!

René Redzepi - the man who turned Danish food upside down!
René Redzepi – the man who turned Danish food upside down!

René is that man who turned Danish food upside down, and invented and popularized the idea of Nordic cuisine, taking what was originally just a pastry, bread and cod nation, into the path of international gastronomy and cuisine!

Getting a table at Noma is near impossible, but the best way to get a shot is to call and see if there are cancellations for lunch, as the same menu is served all day long.

Sadly, we only had an extremely limited amount of time in Copenhagen, and couldn’t afford to wait, but if you’ve got a few more days, go ahead and try your luck!

WHAT DO DANISH PEOPLE EAT?

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty! © Visit Denmark
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
© Visit Denmark

My! Danish food has changed!

When thinking of Danish food, one doesn’t think of a Northern Europe hearty warm meal filled with the coziness of mashed potatoes, cabbage, and a pie! washed down with a keg of frothy beer.

Oh dear me no!

Denmark used to be a barren remote wasteland & a place of isolation.
Denmark used to be a barren remote wasteland & a place of isolation.

One thinks of a barren remote wasteland. A place of isolation. A territory where nothing grows, except for such delights as seafood, bread and salted cod, accompanied by stolen wine drunk in skulls, and some sort of home-made vodka!

However, Danish food has been upgraded and revitalized.

Here we go!

TOP 9 REASONS WHY DANISH FOOD ISN’T JUST SMORREBROD, SEASONAL BERRIES & HERBS!

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

The Nordic Food Movement has introduced a rediscovery of ingredients, creative adaptation of raw materials, new approaches to traditional techniques, and a way to integrate food and natural flavour into todays’ healthy organic gourmet hipster lifestyle!

Here are nine (9) reasons why:

SEAFOOD such as:

Seafood such as cap-horn mussels!
Seafood such as cap-horn mussels!
  • raw razor clams with parsley jelly, buttermilk snow and horseradish
  • lobster
  • turbot roe and vinegar dust
  • mussels with buttermilk and green strawberries
  • lumpsucker roe
  • Danish Fjord Shrimp
  • cod
  • pike
  • herring

MEAT such as:

Meat such as venison!
Meat such as venison!
  • hand-sliced beef tartar served with crushed juniper and a tarragon emulsion
  • grouse breast with blueberry sauce
  • a venison sandwich with bacon, chestnut creme fraiche, and lingonberry jam
  • fried bacon with ramsons and grilled cucumber
  • curls of raw, bright-red semi-frozen veal
  • fried chicken liver with beetroot tartar
  • tartare of musk ox
  • roast leg of lamb
  • rabbit

SAVOURY DISHES such as:

Savoury dishes such as puffin eggs!
Savoury dishes such as puffin eggs!
  • puffin eggs
  • blodpølse or black pudding
  • finker or Danish haggis!
  • creamy pearl barley with St. George’s mushrooms, pickled onions and grated cheese
  • Lindström patties with pickled beets, capers, horseradish and chives, served with pan‑fried potatoes and mangetout
  • Potato and leek soup with lumpfish roe and sour cream
  • hokkaido soup with parsley oil and honey roasted pumpkin seeds
  • nettle soup
  • rye beer chips with chive skyr

FRUIT such as:

Fruit such as rhubarb compote & berries!
Fruit such as rhubarb compote & berries!
  • pears poached in mulled wine accompanied by a gateau riche
  • toasted hardanger apples
  • hawthorne berries
  • rosehip
  • cloudberries
  • green strawberries
  • rhubarb compote
  • blueberries
  • lingonberries

VEGETABLES such as:

Vegetables such as vintage carrot and camomile!
Vegetables such as vintage carrot and camomile!
  • white asparagus with poached egg yolk and woodruff sauce
  • purple borecole salad with baked celeriac and apple corns
  • hot kale salad with dates and capers
  • potato soup with nettles
  • brussel sprout salad and onion relish
  • vintage carrot and camomile
  • birch-smoked marrow
  • beetroot tartar
  • wild sorrel

HERBS & SPICES such as:

Herbs and spices such as chamomile!
Herbs and spices such as chamomile!
  • ramson shoots and buds
  • salsify flowers
  • parsley jelly
  • horseradish
  • chamomile
  • pine needle
  • dried algae powder
  • oyster plant
  • cicely

BREAD & PASTRIES such as:

Bread & pastries such as smørrebrød!
Bread & pastries such as smørrebrød!
  • smørrebrød or open-faced sandwich!
  • wienerbrød or Danish pastry!
  • øllebrød or rye bread
  • rugbrød or sour bread
  • ymerdrys or junket crumble of grated rye bread and brown sugar
  • cardamom buns
  • pariserbøf or minced beef patty, fried egg, onion, capers and pickled beetroot on rye bread!
  • stjerneskud or fish fillet with shrimps, caviar and tomato slices on white bread!
  • rugbrød med leverpostej or rye bread with liverpâté!

DESSERT such as:

Dessert such as rødgrød med fløde or red groats!
Dessert such as rødgrød med fløde or red groats!
  • blueberry mousse with lemon foam
  • kladdkaka or Swedish chocolate cake
  • cookies layered with veal speck and dried currant garnished with single fresh pine buds!
  • savory Æbleskiver or aebleskiver pancake puffs dusted with vinegar powder and served with pickled cucumber marmalade
  • rødgrød med fløde or red groats
  • rhubarb merengue
  • Skyr panna cotta with berries and liquorice
  • Flødeboller or teacake
  • skumbananer or banana flavoured marshmallow covered in chocolate!

DRINKS such as:

Drinks such as Danish organic craft beer! ©Mette Johnsen
Drinks such as Danish organic craft beer!
©Mette Johnsen
  • buttermilk snow
  • hvidtøl or white beer
  • home-grown sea hawthorn beer
  • Carlsberg Danish beer
  • Tuborg Danish beer
  • Amager Bryghus brewing independent Danish craft beers and ales
  • wine
  • aquavit
  • whisky
Danish lakrids or Danish Liquorice!
Danish lakrids or Danish Liquorice!

And let’s not forget of course:

Danish lakrids or Danish Liquorice!

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Booking.com

This article is not sponsored, and all opinions about charming tasty Danish Nordic food on a smørrebrød, or any other brød, are my very own!

Throughout the summer month of August, all the museums in Berlin will be open each and every day! This will conclude with the bi-annual Die Lange Nacht der Museen otherwise known as the Long Night of Museums taking place on 27.8.16 from 6p.m. in the evening ’till 2a.m in the morning!

I’ll be attending an Exclusive Food Tour with Fork & Walk on Wednesday, August 10th organised by the Berlin Chapter of Travel Massive.

Mexico Week at KaDeWe will take place from 15.08.16 – 03.09.16, to introduce Mexico’s culinary diversity. Mexican food producers will present authentic foods, beverages and ingredients, many of them available in Germany, for the very first time!

I’ll be attending a media walkthrough on 18.08.16. Holaaaaa!

The Pop Kultur Festival is a new festival based in hipster Neukölln, over three (3) exciting days of new international and German bands, live concerts, performances, talks and reading, taking place from 31.08.16 – 02.09.16.

Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn't just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!
Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

Have you ever had a smørrebrød? Would you try Danish or Nordic food? Have your say!

See you in Berlin.

If you like this post or if you have any questions send me a tweet, talk to me on Facebook, find me on Linkedin, make a comment below, look for me on Google+ or send me an Email: victoria@thebritishberliner.com

21 Comments on “Top 9 reasons why Danish food isn’t just smørrebrød, seasonal berries & herbs, but can be awfully tasty!

  1. Danish food has definitely evolved just during the last decade but puffin eggs? In Denmark? I don’t think I’ve ever recalled seeing a puffin in Denmark, but in the Faroe Islands it’s common to eat both the eggs and the birds:)
    What a shame you missed Noma, it’s quite an experience.

    • Thanks so much Mitzie Mee!

      Yep! Danish food today is amazing and you’re right, puffin eggs are not from Denmark but from Iceland! All part of the Nordic food cult lol!
      p.s. I was sorry to miss Noma but I think it’s something that I would like to do with my husband – The Music Producer – rather than my son! 🙂

  2. This is a real foodporn, girl! Pelmeni served with sour in Latvia beats every single Danish meal in my opinion! 😛 I’m glad you enjoyed it!

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